With the rise of CBD over the past several years, many are already familiar with the plentiful
this non-psychoactive cannabinoid offers. The newly accessible CBD market has given consumers a chance to take control of their own wellness, with a multitude of folks looking to CBD for , assistance with , combating inflammation and more.Of course, we’re continuously learning more about CBD and other potential applications it holds, which raises the question: Can CBD help with nausea?
Nausea is a common symptom that millions of people experience daily. And while High There is always on Team CBD, it’s important to understand that it isn’t a cure-all. That said, there is definitely a relationship between CBD and nausea to be explored.
Take the plunge and keep reading to learn more about CBD’s potential to help with nausea!
What is CBD?
CBD, or cannabidiol, is one of the most popular and abundant cannabinoids found in cannabis, next to
. Cannabinoids interact with the endocannabinoid system (ECS) in our bodies, which plays a crucial role in regulating many of the processes in our bodies and minds.Unlike THC, CBD is
. For many CBD users, this element is a perk, as CBD still carries many of the potential benefits of THC, just without the heady “high” associated with it. When it comes to our bodies, THC binds to both CB1 receptors in the brain and CB2 receptors in the body and immune system, which is why consuming THC affects both your physical body and your perception.
CBD, on the other hand, only acts on CB2 receptors of the ECS, meaning it does not have the same intoxicating effect and will not get you “high” like THC does.
The recent boom in CBD’s popularity is due, in large part, to the 2018 Farm Bill, which made it legal to sell certain hemp and hemp-derived products. The bill deemed that CBD extracted from hemp, defined as cannabis with less than 0.3% THC, is legal, and that’s the reason you’ll find so many new CBD products on the market today.
Research is still catching up, but this new era for CBD has opened the doors for consumers to explore a natural, plant-based wellness regimen on their own terms.
For a deep dive on CBD, check out our
.What is Nausea, and What Causes It?
Almost all of us have experienced nausea at some point: It’s that uncomfortable, queasy feeling in your stomach that may leave you feeling faint, dizzy or like you’re about to vomit.
Feelings of nausea start in a region of the brain called the medulla oblongata, which is responsible for controlling vital bodily processes like breathing, heartbeat, sneezing and vomiting. These processes are modulated by signals received from other parts of the brain.
Nausea specifically is the result of the brain triggering the urge to vomit. This feeling can arise from ingesting a toxic substance or a flavor your body disagrees with, a viral or bacterial infection or external factors, such as over-exercising or motion sickness.
Of course, this is just a small sampling of what can cause nausea. There are plenty more common reasons people experience nausea, like pregnancy, medication side effects,
, PMS and migraines, just to throw out a few more.Can CBD Help With Nausea?
To revisit the question at hand, let’s look back at the ECS. One specific function of this system is to manage a region in the medulla oblongata responsible for triggering nausea and vomiting reflexes.
like CBD interact with and boost our ECS which, yes, can provide anti-nausea effects!Specifically, inhibiting parts of the ECS with medications can actually encourage nauseous effects, while stimulating it can suppress nausea and its associated symptoms.
Some
has also suggested that using CBD for nausea can increase the production of anandamide, an endocannabinoid that helps to relieve feelings of nausea and reduces the urge to vomit. On its own, anandamide has great antiemetic, or anti-nausea, properties, but it often breaks down quickly in the presence of the fatty acid amide hydrolase enzyme. This is where CBD can potentially help, as it blocks the enzyme and allows the body to more readily use the available anandamide.
CBD can also be effective in easing anxiety, which can sometimes cause nausea. Numerous studies have also shown THC’s efficacy in treating nausea, both on its own and
, with research suggesting THC could be more impactful than CBD in this regard.So, yes, CBD is a promising solution for folks looking for ways to treat nausea. However, it’s important to consult with a doctor before adding CBD
and before you consider replacing any medications with CBD.It’s also important to note that most nausea and related symptoms have a clear cause and resolve themselves. If you don’t have a clear trigger and experience consistent nausea, you should work with a doctor to figure out if there is an underlying problem. CBD is powerful, but it can’t fix everything.
Best Types of CBD for Nausea
Since THC is probably more effective at reducing nausea than CBD — not to mention the
, which suggests that cannabinoids and cannabis compounds are more effective working together — it’s likely best to go with a full-spectrum product, meaning that it contains all cannabinoids (including less than 0.3% THC), and other plant compounds. Candidly, full spectrum tends to be our suggested go-to no matter what symptoms you’re looking to treat. Might as well take it all in, right?Other options include broad spectrum, meaning it has all compounds except THC, and CBD isolate, which is limited to just CBD. Bear in mind that trace amounts of THC will not get you high, but these products are best for people who are routinely drug tested or cannot consume any THC.
Hearkening back to the ever-growing CBD market, there are plenty of ways to ingest CBD. Nausea can come on quickly, which often calls for a quick solution.
While most products can offer some preventative assistance, a sublingual (under-the-tongue)
or an inhalable product, like a vape pen or flower, are your best bets for immediate relief. Ingestible edibles take time to hit your system, and while new technology is shortening the window, could take as soon as 15-20 minutes to hit or as long as a couple of hours.Conversely, sublingual tinctures and inhalable products are pretty immediate. You’ll typically start to feel the effects of a
within 15 minutes, and inhalable options like vapes and flower often hit even sooner, within just a few minutes. Of course, if you’re feeling like you might vomit and smoking or vaping might exasperate that feeling, inhalable products may be best to avoid.A
could also be a good option, since they function in a similar way to CBD tinctures and users typically notice the effects in the same time frame.Topicals may be helpful for some people who experience stomach pain along with nausea-related symptoms, but since topical CBD products offer localized relief to the area it is applied, they aren’t the best for nausea on its own.’
Wrapping Up
While the available evidence is promising, research is still ongoing and further studies are needed to precisely uncover how cannabinoids like CBD interact with our bodies and aids in relieving symptoms, like nausea.
Anecdotal evidence and available research, however, shows that we’re definitely on the right track as we examine this relationship. CBD tends to have fewer side effects than pharmaceutical anti-nausea medications, so it’s only natural to look toward other options to reap the same benefits!
If you’re looking to try CBD for nausea, be sure to chat with your doctor if you are already on anti-nausea medication. For immediate relief, inhalable products, like
or a , or a sublingual tincture is best. Edibles may be better for preventative care, simply because it takes longer for them to hit your system than other methods.The good news is, in addition to its already-lengthy list of potential benefits, CBD can indeed help to reduce nausea — as if there wasn’t enough to love about it!